| When we think of training and sports teams, we | | | | reserved for football or baseball teams. |
| usually think of physical training - the intense | | | | Change management is another traditionally |
| workouts, simulations, and training camps that put | | | | corporate course that's being used in the world of |
| athletes into peak performance condition. But | | | | professional sports. Think about a football game |
| sports teams, both amateur and professional, are | | | | and how each person's decisions, from coaches |
| turning to more academic training to ensure the | | | | down to individual players, can impact the entire |
| mental fitness of athletes, as well. | | | | game and the entire teams' success. Teams use |
| There are training centers springing up all over the | | | | change management courses to teach quick |
| world that cater to both physical and mental | | | | decision making based on individual and group |
| training for athletes. On the same lines, some | | | | needs. Through this type of training, players learn |
| corporate training programs, especially leadership | | | | to quickly assess the situation from what they |
| programs, are bringing activities for sports teams | | | | already know and can see and then make |
| into the boardroom. One of the common training | | | | decisions. |
| elements is communications training. From the | | | | The notion of "coaching" in the corporate world |
| basic levels to the intricacies of game day | | | | stemmed from sports coaches to begin with. The |
| communication, some sports teams are taking up | | | | corporate world has taken coaching techniques |
| classroom training to learn the art. | | | | and turned them into processes and models, such |
| Another area of focus for sports teams is | | | | as coaching for peak performance or situational |
| personal development training, or mental training. | | | | leadership. Coaches have begun to move back |
| It was once a wide belief that an athlete's natural | | | | into the classroom to learn the new corporate |
| talent and hard work could propel him or her into | | | | techniques - peak performance can be used for |
| the winner's circle. Now, performance coaches | | | | athletes and employees. |
| argue that a big part of athletic success belongs | | | | Because of the unlimited income potential for pro |
| to attitudes, beliefs, or thought processes - some | | | | sports teams, many are building serious training |
| of the very criteria standard corporate training | | | | programs for their employees, as well. Sales and |
| programs are built upon. Through this type of | | | | customer service training has become popular for |
| personal development training, athletes are | | | | the concierge staffs, ticket sales, general |
| learning better focus, game-day composure, and | | | | management, and group sales areas for many |
| self-confidence through mental strength. | | | | pro teams. Owners and team managers see that |
| It would also seem ironic that sports teams need | | | | the experience begins before the fans sit in their |
| team building training activities, but they do. Just | | | | seats on game day. |
| as in corporate teams, changes to pro sports | | | | The next time you watch a team game, whether |
| teams make them go through cycles of building, | | | | it's professional or amateur, think about the types |
| infighting, and performing. Some team training | | | | of training that may have been applied to put the |
| consultants offer ropes courses, firewalks, board | | | | teams and individual athletes where they are. |
| breaking, and outdoor survival-type training. And | | | | Think about the similarities between your teams |
| on the opposite side, corporate teams are taking | | | | and sports teams - we can borrow training ideas |
| part in the Olympic-style team sports games and | | | | from both sides. |
| survival activities that may have once been | | | | |